This study investigated the factors associated with compliance with antidepressants in a population of 111 elderly outpatients. 56% of patients complied with medication 80% of the time or more using self-report measures. Sociodemographic and clinical variables did not show a significant relation to compliance. Severity of depression was negatively and significantly correlated with compliance. Specific beliefs about antidepressants are strongly correlated with compliance. Patients with negative beliefs about medications in general and patients with perceived medication side effects were less compliant .